Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday signed a law he says will kick-start “long overdue” construction of affordable housing units across New Jersey.
“We finally have arrived at a solution to allow us to more transparently, efficiently, equitably and more quickly build affordable housing units in the state,” Murphy said during a signing ceremony at a community center in Perth Amboy.
The new law, which the Democratic governor described as “landmark,” will standardize obligations for towns throughout the state to build more units.
Towns will also receive more protections from lawsuits that aim to stop the building of affordable housing. For decades, municipalities were consistently sued over affordable housing, forcing them to spend lots of money on litigation.
Murphy signed the law two days after the measure (A4) gained final legislative approval in the Democratic-controlled state Legislature. He was also slated to sign an additional package of bills that would provide tax exemptions for affordable housing projects and deductions for taxpayers affected by it.
Perth Amboy Mayor Helmin Caba echoed Murphy’s positive sentiments about the legislation.
“We value our sense of community and understand the critical importance of having access to affordable, common, safe and quality housing,” he said.
State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, hailed the measure as “an example about the best that legislating can be.”
“The time, energy and effort that went into it produced a product that is truly monumental,” Coughlin said.
As a carrot, the law will give incentives for affordable housing that is built near grocery stores or transit. Age restricted housing and properties that were redeveloped into affordable housing would also be encouraged.
Republicans have decried the measure, saying it will put undue burdens on some municipalites and questioning if the state can handle building 200,000 units Democrats say is needed. However, the bills that provide the tax exemptions and deductions passed with bipartisan support.
“A house is more than four walls and a roof,” said Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, D-Middlesex, a Perth Amboy resident and chair of the Assembly Housing committee. ”It is a place where memories are made — an asset that creates generational wealth.”
Municipalities that disagree with their obligations can mediate with a court appointed board and also have the opportunity to be assigned a judge that specializes in such matters.
“The nice thing is that all three branches of government are involved in this, that’s a good thing,” Murphy said.
Jelani Gibson is a cannabis and politics reporter for NJ.com. He can be reached at jgibson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @jelanigibson1 and on LinkedIn.